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I disagree with many of my colleagues above. Being a PI lawyer the more people who have your phone number the more business it can potentially generate over time.
I have definitely had clients abuse having my cell number, but typically having that conversation with them--explaining what stage their case is and how soon there will typically be an update--is enough for 99% of clients.
Have I received the "3am what's going on with my case" call? Absolutely. I called them back at 7am, called them until they answered, and asked what the emergency was. When they explained they just wanted an update, I told them the update was don't call me in the middle of the night ever again.
With that being said, I have do not disturb set on my personal phone so that it will not even ring from 8pm to 7am.
I cannot tell you how many times I answer a call direct to my cell phone that results in a new case, or two, or three. Is that worth giving my clients my cell number? To me it is.
Pro
I only give it to clients I'm on trial with. Absolutely not otherwise. I made your mistake and started getting text messages asking for updates every couple days. Weekend phone calls, etc. Nah b. I'm no slave to you.
I abide by this policy as well^ need to get in contact with clients around trial, weekend settlement offers leading up to trial, and for witness lineup
We use an app called goto. When I call my clients from that app they do not have my cell number. If they call my office number I have the option of allowing it to ring on my cell phone or I can silence it so they will only be able to leave me a voicemail on my office voicemail
I keep two cell phones. One is entirely personal. One is for business, I give that to OC and clients. I still try to call via the office phone. That way clients know that my preferred method of communication is either email or office phone. My business cell is the backup. Personal phone is off limits
Pro
Case and point. Monday, 8:25 am. One of the clients I had to give my cell phone to in order to text pictures, text message "Are there any updates?". Every 3 days, like clockwork. All times of day or night.
my firm uses an app called Dialpad which assigns us Google Voice numbers. I cannot recommend that option highly enough. If they really need to get me, they can, and if I see their text/voicemail and it's outside working hours and absolutely not an emergency, I can ignore it til I'm back in the office. Plus they NEVER have my personal line.
As most people have suggested already, in the rare instances where I need to contact or be contacted by a client on my cell, I have a VoIP number that I use. That number is only active when absolutely neccesary. There have been occasions in the past where my personal cell number was "leaked" to clients and I staright up blocked them without hesitation. Nothing is ever urgent enough that it can't wait until working hours.